100 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



square feet of ground, but usually the tufts are not more than 

 fifteen to twenty-five feet in area. It suckers abundantly from the 

 roots, and propagates in this way as well as by seeds. It is found 

 over the greater part of the western half of the State, and while 

 it is not excluded from the richest soil if dry, it seems to be partial 

 to sandy localities, rich in alkaline earths. As this plum is nearly 

 related to some of our cultivated varieties of cherries, and the sta- 

 mens and pistils of the flowers are large in both, it will require no 

 great skill to produce a cross between them. And as Fuller has 

 remarked ("Small Fruit Culturist"), a cross between the dwarf 

 plum and a Bigarreau or Morella variety, retaining the dwarf hab- 

 it, vigor, and productiveness of the former, with the flavor of the 

 latter, would be an acquisition of incalculable value, and would com- 

 pletely revolutionize cherry culture. However this may be, the 

 best varieties of the dwarf cherry are valuable as they come from 

 the hand of nature. Many an explorer and traveler in the unset- 

 tled regions has been refreshed by them, and the day is not distant 

 when this fruit will, as it deserves to, have a place in the gardens of 

 all the people. 



Three species of wild cherries grow in various parts of the State. 

 The wild red cherry, (Prunus Pennsylvania], grows sometimes to 

 the dimensions of a small tree. Its leaves are oblong, lanceolate,, 

 pointed, margins finely saw-toothed, green on both sides, flowers 

 on long stems, and the fruit of a light red color, sour, very small 

 and of little merit. The wild black cherry, {Prunus scritina), is val- 

 uable only for its wood, which is close grained, reddish or brown- 

 ish, and highly esteemed by the cabinet maker for the high polish 

 of which it is capable. The lance oblong, smooth leaves are taper 

 pointed, glandular and saw-toothed. The flowers are produced in 

 long clusters (racemes); its fruit is reddish or purplish black, ripen- 

 ing in autumn. Though the fruit is not sought after by human be- 

 ings, it is eagerly devoured by birds. The bark is a remarkable 

 tonic. I have only noticed the tree in the southeastern part of the 

 State. 



The choke cherry (Prunus Virginica), is a tall shrub with greyish 

 bark, oval, oblong, or obovate and abruptly pointed thin leaves, 

 very slender, sharp saw-toothed, and from two to three inches 

 long. The flowers are in a short close cluster. The fruit ripens 

 in summer, and is of a dark red color, and very astringent to the 

 taste, but rather agreeable. 



